Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti announced on Friday that Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will start in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday. This announcement ends weeks of speculation regarding the team’s goalkeeping position. Courtois, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, has made a remarkable comeback after a lengthy injury absence due to a torn ACL suffered last August. Since his return, he has started in five matches, demonstrating his exceptional skills and form.
The Belgian’s return presented Ancelotti with a difficult decision, as Andriy Lunin, who stepped in during Courtois’s absence, performed admirably. The Ukrainian goalkeeper was instrumental in Real Madrid’s LaLiga title campaign and played a crucial role in their dramatic penalty shootout victory against Manchester City in the Champions League semi-finals. “Lunin has had the flu and will travel from Madrid tomorrow. He is fine, but tomorrow he will be on the bench. Courtois will play,” Ancelotti told a press conference at Wembley on Friday.
Ancelotti admitted that his club is aware that they are considered heavy favourites against a Dortmund team that finished fifth in the Bundesliga this season. However, the Italian stated that he and his players were experienced enough not to fall into the trap of being overconfident.
“A final is the most important match, but also the most dangerous. You have to enjoy being here, and we’re going to do that, but then there’s the worry that something could go wrong,” Ancelotti added. “You feel that winning the Champions League is very close and you’re afraid that it might slip away. The important thing is that we know that we have to do everything very well, have a bit of luck and never give up.”
Modric agreed, stating that the Spanish team, which includes himself, Toni Kroos, Nacho, and Dani Carvajal, is focused and has shut out the clamour on Saturday as they attempt to equal Real Madrid great Paco Gento’s record six European Cup triumphs.
“Everyone is saying that we’re the favourites, but it’s not like that, I see a 50-50,” Modric said.
“Dortmund are a big club, they have had a great season in the Champions League and they will make it very difficult for us. We need concentration and to demonstrate on the field that we are capable of beating them.”